Improving Weight Management at the VA

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Obesity

In brief

Compared to the general public, a higher percentage of Veterans are obese or overweight with a weight-related medical condition. The VA currently offers an effective weight management program called MOVE!, but the majority of eligible patients do not attend. Veterans see their primary care providers (PCPs) very frequently, making it an important place to receive information on weight management. However, PCPs often fail to discuss weight management with patients, so interventions are needed to encourage weight management counseling within the team-based care model used in primary care at the VA. Investigators used focus groups, interviews, and other research methods to develop the MOVE! Toward Your Goals (MTG) intervention. This intervention combines online tools, counseling by a health coach, and the team-based care model to deliver weight management information to patients. Investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial of 320 Veteran patients and their providers at two VA sites (Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses, New York Harbor Healthcare System) to study the impact of the 12-month MTG intervention when compared to Enhanced Usual Care. Veterans in the MTG intervention arm will take the MTG tool, receive personalized weight management materials, health coach counseling, and go to their scheduled primary care (PC) visit. After the initial visit, MTG-arm Veterans will receive follow up telephone coaching over 12 months. All Veterans will attend follow-up visits at 3, 6 and 12 months to assess body mass index, diet and physical activity, and goal attainment. The objectives of this study are to: (a) test the impact of the MTG intervention on weight and behavior changes; (b) identify predictors of weight loss in Veterans who use goal setting techniques; and (c) determine the impact of the MTG intervention on primary care team obesity-related counseling practices and attitudes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02626819

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

45

Starts

2015-08-03

Expected to finish

2018-03-05

Last updated by the study team

2018-12-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 69. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Has not participated in MOVE! in the past year
• Age 18-69 (this age range represents MOVE! eligibility)
• BMI of 30kg/m2 or a BMI of 25 kg/m2 with obesity-associated condition
• Under the care of PCP with at least 1 prior visit with the provider in the past 12 months
• Access to a telephone
• Able to travel to Brooklyn or Manhattan VA for in-person evaluations at 3, 6, and 12 months

You may not qualify if…

• Non-Veterans
• A documented current history of active psychosis or other cognitive issues via International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes
• Diabetes diagnosis via ICD-9 code
• Primary care provider recommends that the patient should not participate
• Severe arthritis, valvular disease, cardiac arrhythmia, pregnancy, and/or other conditions (indicated by PCP) limiting moderate PA
• Self-reported inability to read at a 5th grade level due to literacy level or vision problems

Where it is running

• Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn, New York, United States
• Manhattan Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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